Final Registrars Info Session For Aspiring Candidates Is July 11

By John Voket

The second of two information sessions for individuals planning to run for , or already serving in, public office is planned for Wednesday, July 11. The idea for hosting an election workshop prior to party caucuses later this month was introduced by Registrars of Voters LeReine Frampton and Karen Aurelia.

Ms Frampton said it was the first time either had heard of offering a “how to get elected 101,” course before.

“We’re hoping these workshops help attract everyone into the process who is even thinking about running for elected office,” she said.

While the first session June 28 was sparsely attended because of the impending holiday and short notice to advertise, Ms Frampton said, it nonetheless drew three newcomers who each said they are considering a run as either a petitioning or party-endorsed candidate this fall.

In addition, the workshop drew Legislative Council Chair Will Rodgers and fellow councilman Jeff Capece, as well as acting Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia, who will also be seeking the permanent town clerk position in November.

The registrars opened the session by inviting attendees to pick up printed information, including “how to” flyers on campaign legalities and financial requirements.

“When you are running by yourself [as a petitioning candidate or unaffiliated] there are strict rules about keeping up with financial filing,” Ms Frampton said. “It’s the hardest part of running on your own.”

Karen Aurelia explained to the potential candidates and officials that if they failed to get a nomination from one of the town’s major parties, or an organized minor party, they can still easily qualify for a spot on the ballot with qualified petition signatures from as few as five percent of the number of residents who voted in the last election. Because the turnout in the 2005 election was unusually low, petitioning candidates will have to secure only about 190 signatures to win a spot on the ballot for townwide offices. Prospective candidates for council seats, for which voting is by district, would need, on average, just 65 signatures.

She also explained the important distinction between filing a primary petition and nominating petition.

“If you file a primary petition, you don’t necessarily need to primary,” she said. Any member of a major party who is not nominated during that party caucus may still qualify to be on his or her party line if that seat is not filled by a proper nominee.

By petitioning for a seat in this manner, the candidate may receive better positioning on the ballot with his/her party, even if the candidate failed to receive the party’s endorsement, she said. Primary petitions must be assigned by the registrars.

Nominating petitions are state-issued documents due back to the Secretary of the State’s office by August 8, Ms Frampton continued. They signal, and certify, an individual has gained the number of qualified signatures to earn a position as an independent or petitioning unaffiliated candidate, albeit in a lower position on the fall ballot.

Newtown newcomer John Godin said he served on minor boards in Illinois before moving to the community recently. Saying his intent was to seek a party nomination for the Board of Assessment Appeals, Mr Godin called the registrars’ workshop “very helpful.”

Bruce Walczak said he was attending with an idea to run for an open seat on the Police Commission as a petitioning independent.

“This was great,” he said.

Ms Aurelia said any person who is considering running for office in November, or anytime in the future, is encouraged to attend the July 11 workshop. If potential attendees have a question they would like to submit in advance, they can call that question in to the registrars office Tuesday, July 10, between 8 am and 2 pm at 270-4250.

Admission to the workshop is free, but is reserved for individuals registered to vote in Newtown, Ms Frampton said.

“It’s just information, and there is no further obligation on the part of anyone attending, so residents only need to come with questions or a desire to learn about running for public office at some point in the future,” Ms Frampton said.

Attendees who are not yet registered to vote in Newtown may become registered before the session July 11.